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Latest News on Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program

Latest News on Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program

San Francisco Bay Area employers with 50 or more full-time employees within the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (Air District) geographic boundaries were required to register and offer commuter benefits to their employees by September 30, 2014 in order to comply with Air District Regulation 14, Rule 1, the Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program. Employers must select one of four Commuter Benefit options to offer their employees. Commuter benefits encourage employees to take transit, vanpool, carpool, bicycle and walk rather than drive alone to work.

Employers were required to register by September 30. Those that have not registered, should do so now:

Step 1: if you have not registered, do so as soon as possible;Step 2: offer benefits to employees if you have not yet;Step 3: request an extension from the Air District if you need more time to offer benefits.

Employers that need an extension to offer commuter benefits should contact the Air District at commuterbenefits@baaqmd.gov. In the email, please indicate the reason for the extension and specify the date by which benefits will be offered to employees. Please include your employer ID # if you have this available.

Commute.org is working with the MTC and BAAQMD to provide support and guidance to businesses in San Mateo County. We encourage you to read the information about the Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program provided on the 511.org web site. If your business or organization has questions about providing pre-tax commute benefits, please contact us at Commute.org and we will guide you through the process.